International 12 Metre Class yacht WEATHERLY display model
Date1962
Object number00054987
NameModel
MediumFibreglass, plastic, paint
DimensionsOverall: 180 × 500 × 75 mm
ClassificationsModels
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionA WEATHERLY US model. It comprises a half model made of fibreglass mounted on a plastic mirror with a plaque on the lower right corner with text reading 'WEATERLY US 17 1962'.
WEATHERLY US was a successful Defender of 1962 America's Cup.
HistoryThe America’s Cup has been the most prestigious trophy for yachting and internationally is one of the most significant trophies and contests in any sport. Up until 1983 it had been held by the USA and the New York Yacht Club for 132 years, the longest winning streak in sporting history. The Cup was symbol of American supremacy, and had traditionally been a race between the USA and England, the two strongest yachting nations. When Australia challenged for the cup it was seen as a David and Goliath contest, but after Australia won races and showed strong challenges in 1962 and 1970 there was considerably more respect for them from the American yachtsmen.
Defending and retaining the Cup, which was bolted to the pedestal in the NYYC, was matter of intense pride and the US put in an enormous effort to design and build the best yachts to defend the trophy. They also ensured there was strong competition to defend the cup with a lengthy series of races that ensured the best boat would be chosen to defend the Cup.
After the series was over many different models were made of the competing boats for people who were part of the racing and series, and for collectors. Many of the models were just a painted half model of the hull, a traditional means of representing a vessel in model form.
Ben Lexcen (formerly Bob Miller) 1936-1988 was one of Australia’s principle yacht designers from the 1960s until his death in 1988. He created a number of revolutionary and unorthodox designs and gained International respect. The ocean racing yachts MERCEDES III, APOLLO and GINGKO were amongst his most significant designs, along with the IYRU Contender Class single handed dinghy, and the 18-foot skiffs TAIPAN and VENOM. He was the designer of America’s Cup boats from 1974 until 1987, including SOUTHERN CROSS and AUSTRALIA and was the designer for AUSTRALIA II which won the America's Cup in 1983, a major National and International sporting achievement.
His career began under the name Bob Miller, and formed a sail making and design partnership with Craig Whitworth during the 1960s called Miller & Whitworth, which lasted until the mid-1970s. At that time he changed his name to Ben Lexcen, and had a brief design partnership with Johan Valentjin to design AUSTRALIA KA5 and other yachts. This was disbanded around 1978, and he worked under the Lexcen name with a small staff based in his home at David Place Seaforth. After the design of AUSTRALIA II for the 1983 America’s Cup win he established a drawing office which included Peter Lowe as a senior partner. This became Lexcen Lowe Design and a few years after he died it became Peter Lowe Design.
SignificanceWEATHERLY was the American 12 metre that successfully defended the America’s Cup in 1962 against a strong Australian Challenge from GRETEL. It was designed by Phillip Rhodes for the 1959 series but at that time was not chosen. It was better prepared in 1962 and skippered by ‘Bus’ Mosbacher it was chosen to defend the Cup. The series was remarkably close, GRETEL proved to be a very fast yacht winning one race and finishing close behind in others. GRETEL and WEATHERLY had different hull characteristics, and this model captures the hull lines of WEATHERLY as a comparison to GRETEL. It also captures its distinctive light blue colour scheme.
